The Stand-In Villainess's Contract Marriage: I Was Divorced After a Year, But For Some Reason, My Ex-Husband Seems to Be Looking for Me - Chapter 20

When asked if there was anything troubling me, I replied that everything was fine.

“A letter has arrived. I apologize for the intrusion, but I’d like to confirm its contents.”

“I understand.”

The only one who sends letters to the Kirina Duchy is my sister.

It must be a reply to the letter I sent. Since there’s nothing in it that I would be embarrassed about, I accepted the letter, knowing that.

“Also, I’ve completed all the payments. Here’s the receipt.”

Felice said this and handed over three documents.

“Thank you very much!”

I felt a deep sense of relief upon hearing that the payment for my sister’s medicine had been made, as the deadline was approaching.

“…You’ve really helped me. Thank you so much.”

The receipts each had dates and signatures recorded on them.

It seemed that the Hord Count family had properly received the payment, so my sister’s marriage would likely be confirmed now.

Amalia, the female physician, had signed as “Doctor,” which startled me a little, but Felice didn’t ask any unnecessary questions.

“It’s about time that the news of His Excellency the Kirina Duke’s marriage spreads. As stipulated in the marriage conditions, I would like you to attend several parties alone.”

Having finished paying for the medicine and repaying the debts, Liana was startled by Felice’s offer.

I remembered that this condition had indeed been mentioned in the marriage terms.

The Kirina Duke had married the ‘Wicked Woman Lana’ to repay a favor received from Count Tweed.

However, she was such a terrible wife that they had agreed to divorce after a year.

Liana still had to play the role of a wicked woman.

“…Understood.”

Simply hiding in my room wouldn’t fulfill the contract marriage conditions.

“I’ll go anywhere, but please make sure it’s a party that my sister won’t be attending.”

If my sister learned that Liana was still living as ‘Wicked Woman Lana,’ she would be surprised and hurt.

I want to see my sister, but I can’t meet her anymore.

“Understood. I’ll make the arrangements. Please wear the dress and accessories we’ve prepared for you.”

Noticing that Liana wasn’t wearing the dress she had arranged, Felice emphasized this point.

I had intended to wear a dress belonging to Count Tweed’s daughter to the party, but with that being said, I had no choice but to comply.

“Is there anything else you would like?”

“Yes. If it’s alright after the party, could I go to the convent? I promised to deliver clothes to the children there.”

“…The convent, you say?”

Felice looked as if he wanted to ask why I would go there, but he didn’t say anything unnecessary and accepted my request.

He said he would contact me again once the party date was set and then left.

Left alone, Liana began to feel a bit gloomy as she thought about what lay ahead.

(I have to be such a terrible wife that the Kirina Duke decides to divorce me. But what exactly should I do…?)

It would be ideal to have a lot of men surround me like a wicked woman, but I couldn’t possibly do that since I get nervous just talking to men.

Feeling gloomy, I resolved to do it no matter what and picked up the letter I had received from my sister earlier.

In that letter, she expressed her surprise upon realizing I hadn’t returned when she had been waiting for me.

Words of astonishment at my marriage immediately following our engagement were written there.

The kindness in my sister’s words, that she had wanted to celebrate in a grand manner, touched my heart.

And there was her gratitude for having paid off the debt to the Hord Count family.

She expressed her appreciation several times for the money I had sent her for her future.

She wanted me to come back when things settled down.

She also wrote that she absolutely wanted me to attend her wedding a year later. Remembering the dress I had made for her, I imagined my sister’s happy figure in that dress on her wedding day, and my heart swelled.

For my sister’s sake, I had to properly play the role of ‘Wicked Woman Lana’ and completely separate my sister from the wicked woman.

(For my sister’s sake, I will do my best.)

I resolved firmly.

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A few days later.

Felice visited my room again and informed me that I would be attending a dance party at the Crylo Marquis’ house in two days.

The Crylo Marquis is a relative of the Kirina Duke, and many acquaintances from both sides would be attending this party.

Moreover, I heard that only those from count and marquis backgrounds would be present, and that neither my sister nor anyone from the Hord Count family would be attending, which relieved me.

(But they’re all high-ranking nobles…)

Since Liana didn’t attend a noble academy, she was a bit out of touch with etiquette.

I felt anxious about possibly making a mistake, but I thought that perhaps such a mistake could show that I wasn’t worthy of the Kirina Duchy.

Thinking that even if I made a mistake it could work out in a positive way, my tension lessened a bit.

I could endure whispers behind my back and disdainful glances.

Since the Kirina Duke had properly compensated me, I had to fulfill my role.

The day before, a maid brought me a dress and accessories.

A bright red dress and an onyx hair ornament.

It was quite a standout dress, but it seemed to be made of the finest fabric, and the texture felt very nice.